The Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft crashed in the swampy area of Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area, on Monday while carrying military personnel. The difficult terrain has continued to slow the recovery operation, with the main body of the aircraft believed to be submerged beneath the swamp.
Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who visited the crash site, said witnesses indicated that the pilot may have manoeuvred the aircraft away from the populated area before it went down.
According to the governor, the aircraft came down about 200 metres from the community. He said the manoeuvre may have prevented an even greater disaster in Igbokoda, although the circumstances surrounding the aircraft's final moments remain subject to investigation.
Aiyedatiwa also said portions of victims' bodies, personal belongings and aircraft fragments had been recovered and preserved for investigation. However, the cockpit and black boxes had yet to be located.
The recovery operation has involved personnel from the Nigerian Air Force, Nigerian Navy, police, emergency management agencies, divers and local residents. Amphibious machines have also been deployed to help teams navigate the difficult swamp terrain and move closer to areas where the aircraft is believed to have sunk.
The Nigerian Air Force said the search and recovery operation was continuing under the direction of Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke. The service also thanked the military, emergency agencies, Ondo State Government and local communities for their support.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government is using the tragedy to push for closer cooperation between civil and military aviation authorities.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo met with the Chief of Air Staff and agreed on a framework to strengthen collaboration between the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority and the Nigerian Air Force.
The proposed cooperation will cover aviation safety, airworthiness, certification, training and capacity building. Keyamo said the existing divide between civil and military aviation should be reduced because aviation accidents affect Nigerians regardless of whether an aircraft is operated by civilian or military authorities.
The government’s response is expected to run alongside the ongoing investigation into the crash. The Nigerian Air Force has also constituted a board of inquiry to determine what led to the incident.
For now, attention remains focused on the recovery operation in Igbokoda, with authorities continuing efforts to locate the submerged aircraft and provide answers to the families of those involved.